Scott Adkins Side Kick Tutorial
0
Side Front Kick·Scott Adkins
This Side Kick Tutorial is brought to you by World renowned martial artist Scott Adkins. This kick is a staple of martia…
Side Front Kick
SubFamily横蹴り(Yoko Geri)
TraditionalTranslation: side front kick
Overview
The Side Front Kick is a front kick performed with a hip turn so that at full extension the upper body is perpendicular to the opponent rather than facing them. [1] Practiced extensively in Wado-ryu karate, this variation allows greater penetration while presenting less target surface to the opponent's retaliation. [1] The kick can be executed as either a penetrating or upward front kick with the added hip rotation, making it effective for simultaneous attack and evasion — the perpendicular body position allows kicking while dodging incoming strikes to the centerline. [1] A variation also appears in classical tai chi chuan sequences as oblique front kicks delivered at 45 degrees. [1]
Yoko GeriJPYoko Sokugyaku Geri KekomiJPSide-Angled Front Kick
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Effective for simultaneous attack and evasion — perpendicular body presents a smaller target while maintaining forward striking power. [1]
Lineage
Documented in De Bremaeker & Faige, Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks (2010). A hybrid trajectory combining front and side kick elements. [1]
Competition Record
Primarily a training, demonstration, and point-fighting technique. Rarely seen in full-contact MMA or kickboxing due to acrobatic risk and telegraphing. Appears occasionally in TKD and point-fighting karate tournaments. [1]
Images
No images yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest an image.
Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Standard front kick chamber with added hip rotation — at full extension the torso is perpendicular to the opponent
Joints Involved — Hip flexion + internal rotation, knee extension, ankle plantarflexion
Force Vector — Forward with lateral hip rotation — deeper penetration angle
Striking Surface — Ball of foot or heel
Position & Entry
From fighting stance — Chamber knee as for standard front kick, then rotate hips perpendicular during extension
As evasion-attack — Kick while dodging an incoming centerline strike
Variants
Penetrating version — ball of foot driven through target
Upward version — instep snaps upward
45-degree version — tai chi variation
Videos
1 video
Learn This Technique
No instructional courses yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest a course.
Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
4
Moderate4/10
Standard striking force with added penetration from hip rotation.
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Unified MMA— standard striking technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDFWKF Karate— controlled contact required
WKF Kumite Rules 2026PDFWT Taekwondo— kicks are primary scoring technique
WT Competition Rules 2026PDFWAKO Kickboxing— full contact permitted
WAKO Full Contact RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Focus on hip rotation happening DURING kick extension, not before
✓At full extension your shoulder should point at the opponent, not your chest
✓Practice against a bag positioned slightly to the side
Common Mistakes
!Turning the hips too early, telegraphing the angle
!Not committing to the perpendicular position
!Confusing this with a standard side kick — the chamber is frontal
!Losing balance from rotational momentum
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Jab to draw counter → side front kick while evading
2Step to outside angle → side front kick to ribs
Sources & References
Primary Source
De Bremaeker, M. & Faige, R. (2010). Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks. Tuttle Publishing.
1BookDe Bremaeker, M. & Faige, R. (2010). Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks. Tuttle Publishing.pp. pp. 23-25
[1] De Bremaeker & Faige, Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks (2010), Section 1.5, pp. 23-25
Official karate technique names (和語/漢語)
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
4CitationDe Bremaeker, M. & Faige, R. (2010). Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks. Tuttle Publishing.pp. pp. 23-25
[1] De Bremaeker & Faige, Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks (2010), Section 1.5, pp. 23-25
Community
Athletics
Requires
hip flexibility for rotation, good balance
Key muscles
hip rotators, quadriceps, core obliques
Notes
Documented in De Bremaeker & Faige, Section 1.8. A hybrid between a front kick and a side kick — the trajectory splits the difference between the two. Useful against opponents who defend one angle but not the other. (De Bremaeker & Faige, Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks, 2010)
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the most important thing to focus on before throwing a side kick?
What matters most is what you do with your hips before you throw the side kick. Scott Adkins emphasizes turning your back foot out so your toes point one direction and your heel points the opposite way, which sets up proper hip rotation for the kick.
Why is knowing the correct end position for a side kick important?
According to Scott Adkins, knowing the proper end position makes it easier to transition to that position from whatever stance you're in—if you know where you're supposed to end up, you'll get there more efficiently and with better technique.
What part of the foot should I strike with for maximum power?
Scott Adkins recommends hitting with the heel and the ridge of the foot (the knife's edge), not the flat of the foot or toes, because a smaller contact area concentrates force more effectively—think of a stiletto heel versus a flat shoe striking the same target.
How do I know if my toes are in the correct position during a side kick?
Your toes should be lower than your heel; if your toes are pointing upward, you're probably hitting with your toes or flat foot instead of the heel. Scott Adkins stresses that pulling your toes back and keeping them down is essential for proper technique.
How does the Side Front Kick work?
The Side Front Kick is a front kick performed with a hip turn so that at full extension the upper body is perpendicular to the opponent rather than facing them. Practiced extensively in Wado-ryu karate, this variation allows greater penetration while presenting less target surface to the opponent's retaliation.
Where does the Side Front Kick come from?
A signature technique of Wado-ryu karate, a style founded by Hironori Otsuka that emphasizes hip movements, evasions, and body shifting. A variation appears in classical tai chi chuan as oblique front kicks at 45 degrees.
Is the Side Front Kick legal in competition?
Unified MMA: Legal: legal — standard striking technique; WKF Karate: Legal: legal — controlled contact required; WT Taekwondo: Legal: legal — kicks are primary scoring technique; WAKO Kickboxing: Legal: legal — full contact permitted
How dangerous is the Side Front Kick?
Danger rating 4/10. Moderate — standard striking force with added penetration from hip rotation.
How do I set up the Side Front Kick?
The standard setup chain: Jab to draw counter → side front kick while evading → Step to outside angle → side front kick to ribs.
How do I defend against the Side Front Kick?
Standard counters include: Angle off laterally / Low kick to standing leg during hip rotation / Close distance quickly.
What are the variants of the Side Front Kick?
Common variants: Penetrating version (ball of foot driven through target); Upward version (instep snaps upward); 45-degree version (tai chi variation).
How effective is the Side Front Kick in competition?
Primarily a training, demonstration, and point-fighting technique. Rarely seen in full-contact MMA or kickboxing due to acrobatic risk and telegraphing.
What are common mistakes when doing the Side Front Kick?
Top errors to watch for: Turning the hips too early, telegraphing the angle / Not committing to the perpendicular position / Confusing this with a standard side kick — the chamber is frontal / Losing balance from rotational momentum.
What are other names for the Side Front Kick?
The Side Front Kick is also known as Yoko Geri, Yoko Sokugyaku Geri Kekomi, Side-Angled Front Kick.